Opinions of Anthem Users. I am considering the Anthem AVM 70 8K

[highfigh]

The 7706 worked perfectly yesterday. When I switched on today everything was fine, but the buzz came back this afternoon. I will discuss with my dealer tomorrow. This unit is a dud.

Not to sound like a wise guy but does vibration or slight impact affect the noise? It wouldn't be the first time a loose ground screw or bad solder joint caused this kind of problem.

 

[TLS Guy]

Not to sound like a wise guy but does vibration or slight impact affect the noise? It wouldn't be the first time a loose ground screw or bad solder joint caused this kind of problem.

I can assure you there are no loose ground screws in this rig.

Certainly a dry solder joint in this unit is a possibility.

Yes, the buzz first appeared in a live stream from Truro cathedral and the 32' stops were certainly shaking my chair and floor.

 

[highfigh]

I can assure you there are no loose ground screws in this rig.

Certainly a dry solder joint in this unit is a possibility.

Yes, the buzz first appeared in a live stream from Truro cathedral and the 32' stops were certainly shaking my chair and floor.

I had a tuner that was incredible, when it worked. I eventually sold it and the buyer's friend checked it out- it was a loose ground screw. I checked, the service tech at the stereo store checked, it was sent to Sony's own service department and they checked it- none of us found it, but I doubt any of us loosened ALL of the screws.

 

[Alex2507]

Try a new Denon AVR.

Now that's just mean.

 

[PENG]

Thanks Gene that helps. The big issue is that it is very costly, the second issue is that it can't be rack mounted and the Anthem can.
Anyway thanks for your input.

First of all, based on my experience with ARC G, I find it not as good as what most AVSF owners, or Gene/Theo said out of the box, or even after hours of tweaking. It is however, comparable to Audyssey (used with the $20 app), barely though. All based on my many REW plots, subjectively, I don't have a preference.

Secondly, and importantly, the AVM70 is not that costly if you buy when it is on sale. Anthem seemed to have been putting in on sale for with about 15% discount off list price, a few times a year, such as Black Friday, Christmas, at major trade shows etc. So the trick is to wait for that, or get your local dealers to offer that same 15%. With the discount the price should be comparable to the Marantz.

It will measure much better than the 7705/7706 because of the much better DAC and ADC ICs used, whether the difference = audibly better sound quality is another story and I don't intend to argue with anyone on such subjective matter.

Aside from me, I know @Cos also switched from Marantz AVP to Anthem's so we both can tell you about their pros and cons based on our user experience. Overall, I am happy with mine, but if I am ready to try a different gear, I would wait for the Marantz AV20, that hopefully would not cost more than the AVM70, and offer comparable specs and much better/more convenient features and user interface, plus the superior Dirac Live (I know you don't believe in the use of RC/EQ, but...).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Now that's just mean.

The truth cuts like a knife.

 

[PENG]

Order placed for Marantz AVP10.

This looks like a well thought out neat build.

I assume it is too late for me to again, suggest the latest model, namely the AV20 that should be out soon:

My understanding is that it is a replacement of the AV8805A, so in terms of build quality it is one notch above the AV7706 that is basically an AVR such as the SR7015, without the power amps but added the XLR I/Os.

The AV20, that will fit in between the AV7706 and the AV10, should be less costly, and being two years newer, may have some new and improved features.

 

[TLS Guy]

I assume it is too late for me to again, suggest the latest model, namely the AV20 that should be out soon:

My understanding is that it is a replacement of the AV8805A, so in terms of build quality it is one notch above the AV7706 that is basically an AVR such as the SR7015, without the power amps but added the XLR I/Os.

The AV20, that will fit in between the AV7706 and the AV10, should be less costly, and being two years newer, may have some new and improved features.


View attachment 73253

Thanks for that opinion. I had a nice extended conversation with my dealer Scott.

First, the 7706 has been working fine, since that substantial thump I gave it last night.

The bigger problem is that Scott tells me that Marantz are not really communicating sensibly at the moment. He says they are in a word, rude and unhelpful. So the suspicion is they are frustrated and it is not a good place to work currently.

Worse they appear to have pretty much no stock and certainly nothing of use to me.

So, we both have the impression that there is a good chance they are preparing to close up shop.

So, at the moment I am going to keep my options open. If Sound United and with it Marantz are going to close up shop, then I don't want anymore of their gear. Scott will get back to me in a day or two and see what redress he can get from Marantz.

So I have to be patient and see if Sound United close up shop. These daft Trump tariffs I'm sure are unhelpful, and complicating the situation greatly.

If Sound United gear becomes unavailable, then Anthem will be my only realistic option.

So in the meantime, I hope I don't break a fifth metacarpal thumping the 7706. So far I have only had to do it once.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The bigger problem is that Scott tells me that Marantz are not really communicating sensibly at the moment. He says they are in a word, rude and unhelpful. So the suspicion is they are frustrated and it is not a good place to work currently.

Worse they appear to have pretty much no stock and certainly nothing of use to me.

So, we both have the impression that there is a good chance they are preparing to close up shop.

Again, you need to take a chill pill and stop with the doom and gloom.

When did you purchase your AV7706? Was it brand new from the dealer?

 

[TLS Guy]

Again, you need to take a chill pill and stop with the doom and gloom.

I’ve communicated many times with the SU director of sales. I just reached out to him to get his opinion.

When did you purchase your AV7706? Was it brand new from the dealer?

The dealer is Hi-Fi Sound of Minneapolis. I have known the owner Scott for a very long time. He is an authorized Marantz dealer. The 7706 was brand new in a sealed unopened box. The unit arrived in January having been on order for three weeks. The unit was installed January 18 to 19. Actually installation was January 19 and set up January 20. The unit functioned perfectly until last Thursday afternoon. Cosmetically the unit looks perfect. So, I don't think it had been opened since leaving the factory, until I unpacked it. The unit functioned flawlessly until April 17, 2025. So the unit has been in use for three months.

So the unit is covered by the Marantz warranty.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The dealer is Hi-Fi Sound of Minneapolis. I have known the owner Scott for a very long time. He is an authorized Marantz dealer. The 7706 was brand new in a sealed unopened box. The unit arrived in January having been on order for three weeks. The unit was installed January 18 to 19. Actually installation was January 19 and set up January 20. The unit functioned perfectly until last Thursday afternoon. Cosmetically the unit looks perfect. So, I don't think it had been opened since leaving the factory, until I unpacked it. The unit functioned flawlessly until April 17, 2025. So the unit has been in use for three months.

So the unit is covered by the Marantz warranty.

Unless your AV7706 arrived DOA or 100% clearly defective upon installation, SU will not refund any dealer.

After 30 days, I doubt that any manufacturer would give any dealer or client a refund. Your only option is to send it in for repair at this point.

Now if your AV7706 were defective within 30 days of purchase, SU might send you a new replacement. But after 30 days, I doubt any manufacturer would send you a new replacement.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for that opinion. I had a nice extended conversation with my dealer Scott.

First, the 7706 has been working fine, since that substantial thump I gave it last night.

The bigger problem is that Scott tells me that Marantz are not really communicating sensibly at the moment. He says they are in a word, rude and unhelpful. So the suspicion is they are frustrated and it is not a good place to work currently.

Worse they appear to have pretty much no stock and certainly nothing of use to me.

So, we both have the impression that there is a good chance they are preparing to close up shop.

So, at the moment I am going to keep my options open. If Sound United and with it Marantz are going to close up shop, then I don't want anymore of their gear. Scott will get back to me in a day or two and see what redress he can get from Marantz.

So I have to be patient and see if Sound United close up shop. These daft Trump tariffs I'm sure are unhelpful, and complicating the situation greatly.

If Sound United gear becomes unavailable, then Anthem will be my only realistic option.

So in the meantime, I hope I don't break a fifth metacarpal thumping the 7706. So far I have only had to do it once.

What financial world do you live in where you just shut down a billion dollar investment?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What financial world do you live in where you just shut down a billion dollar investment?

In a world where NOBODY buys AVR, and everyone only buys AVP and 100% active speakers.

Where everyone is buying SU AVR and AVP like hotcakes, but SU just doesn’t want to sell anymore.

 

[TLS Guy]

What financial world do you live in where you just shut down a billion dollar investment?

When you are about to loose more than a billion!

 

[TLS Guy]

Unless your AV7706 arrived DOA or 100% clearly defective upon installation, SU will not refund any dealer.

After 30 days, I doubt that any manufacturer would give any dealer or client a refund. Your only option is to send it in for repair at this point.

Now if your AV7706 were defective within 30 days of purchase, SU might send you a new replacement. But after 30 days, I doubt any manufacturer would send you a new replacement.

It is supposed to have a three year warranty. If it keeps up then this one will go to recycling like the last and I will buy something used.

 

[lovinthehd]

When you are about to loose more than a billion!

How do you figure they're losing (not loosing) a billion?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It is supposed to have a three year warranty. If it keeps up then this one will go to recycling like the last and I will buy something used.

The warranty is for repairs only. What is your dealer trying to do with SU?

Are you saying that SU will not repair your AVP?

 

[Kleinst]

It is supposed to have a three year warranty. If it keeps up then this one will go to recycling like the last and I will buy something used.

If you decide to go recycling send it to me Hope it keeps working well from here. Thumping it is a new method however!

 

[lovinthehd]

If you decide to go recycling send it to me Hope it keeps working well from here. Thumping it is a new method however!

Like old tvs were?

 

[Kleinst]

Like old tvs were?

Yes! The screen rolling and you tap it and it stops